Improvement in bath-tubs



2SheetsSheet1. C. A. BLESSING.

BATH-TUB.

No.181,625. Patented Aug. 29,1876.

niiumuu n '2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

c. A. BLESSING.

BATH-TUB.

Patented Aug.29, 1876.

Aii'esi- N.'PETERS, PNOTO-LITHOQRAFHER. WASHINGTON. By C.

ITNI'I'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. BLESSING, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN BATH-TUBS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l S I .625, datedAugust 29, 1876 application filed August 11, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. BLESSING, of Philadelphia, in the countyof Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Bath- Tubs, of which the following is aspecification The present invention relates to improvements inbath-tubs, and has special reference to means for supplying hot and coldwater to the tub and a shower-pipe; also, to means for withdrawing thewaste-water from the tub, either while the water-supply is connectedwith the shower-pipe, or while it is not connected.

The invention consists in the combination, with the waste-pipe issuingfrom the bottom of a bath-tub, of an overflow tube or pipe, whichoperates in the manner of a siphon, and is so contrived that the waterwill gradually rise in said tube to the level of the water in the tub,and will run off into the waste-pipe, when the proper amount of water isin the tub. The invention also consists in the combination, with hot andcold water supply pipes, a showerbath pipe, and a waste-pipe, of afour-way cock, which is so constructed and arranged that the hot andcold water can be admitted through the bottomof the tub, eitherseparately or mixed, and can also be caused to flow into the shower-pipewhile the water from the tub is running off through the waste-pipe. Theinvention further consists in the combination, with a tub havingcountersunk or struckup recesses in its sides, of a detachable seat,which is held in place by a sliding clamp and thumb-screw.

In theaccompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectionof a bath-tub having my water supply and discharge devices appliedthereto. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view, showing the strainerkey foroperating the tub and shower-pipe. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the tub.Fig. 4 represents the four-way cock in position for admitting coldwaterto the tub. Fig. 5 shows the cock in position for supplying hotwater to the tub. Fig. 6 represents the cock in communication, with thehot and cold water pipes and the showerpipe. Fig. 7 exhibits the cock inposition for discharging the water from the tub into the waste-pipe.Figs. 8, 9, and 10 represent a modification of my invention, in whichthe discharge of the waste-water is taking place while the shower-supplypipe is on.

The tub A (shown in the drawing) is of the usual portable form, and hasa molding around its top and sides, so as to give it the properornamental finish. -B is an extension or board at the top of the tub,which supports the key for operating the supply and waste cocks C; alsothe coupling D, with which the showerbath pipe is connected. Theinterior of the tub is provided with the usual zinc, copper, or othermetallic lining,D, in the sides of which are formed, by the swaging orstamping process, cavities or recesses E, for receiving the ends of aremovable seat, F, which is retained in position by a sliding clamp, Gr,bearing against one side of the tub, and secured to the seat by a thumbor clamp screw, 9. In the bottom of the tub is an opening, covered by astrainer-plate, H, which has a screwstem, h, that is screwed into across-bar, i, at the top of the combined supply and waste pipe I. Saidpipe is flanged at its upper end, and is secured to the tub by means ofan external jam-nut, J, screwing on the pipebeneath the tub. The pipe Iis connected with the branch I of a shell or casting containing the cockor valve O, which may be of the ordinary form termed a four-way cook.The pipes or connections for the hot and cold wa- 'ter are denoted bythe letters L M, respectively, the shower-pipe connection by the letterN, and the waste-pipe connection is shown at O. The cock 0 is madehollow andprovided with the openings m n, which, when turned so as toregister with the cold-water pipe, as shown in Fig. 4, will serve toadmit cold water into the tub through the pipe I. When the cock isturned as shown in Fig. 5, hot water alone is admitted into the tub.

When it is desired to shut 0d the water-supply from the tub, and tobring the shower-bath into use, then the cock is turned, as shown inFig. 6, which will cause hot and cold water to flow into theshower-pipe. ment of the cock will serve to open the communicationbetween the tub and the wastepipe, so as to enable the waste-water torun oft, this position of the cock being shown in Fig. 7. The positionof the cock, or the man- A reverse move- ,from the tub. A curvedoverflow-pipe, It, is

connected with the pipe leading into the tub, also with the waste-pipe0, this overflow-pipe operating somewhat in the mannerof a siphon, sothat when the water in the tub reaches the maximum level or height thewater in the overflow-pipe will commence to run anddischarge into thewaste-pipe, for maintaining the proper level in the tub. Theoverflow-pipe is provided with an air-opening,p, at the junction of itstwo vertical legs, as shown in Fig. 1. Instead of making theoverflow-pipe like a siphon, as described, it may enter the tub at thehigh-water level thereof, and communicate at its other end with thewaste-pipe. In certain instances it is desirable to permit the water inthe tub to run off while the showerbath is in use; and for permittingthis to be doneIhave contrived a cock of the form shown in Figs. 8, 9,and 10 of the drawing, this cock differing from the one heretoforedescribed in being made longer, and fitting into a correspondinglyextended shell or casing. The lower portion of the shell of the cock is,in this instance, provided with a groove or waterway, T, which receivesthe water from the tub, and conveysit through the cock into thewastepipe. The upper part of the cock is properly separated from thelower part by a partition, so that the hot and cold water, either orboth, can enter the shower-pipe without mingling with the waste-waterfrom the tub.

I do not confine myself to the exact details of construction andarrangement herein shown and described, for the shower-pipe may beconducted to the side or end of the tub opposite to that where thesupply takes place,

' and the water may also be caused to enter and run off at the side orany other convenient portion of the tub.

The overflow-pipe may be connected to the valve-casing or to the supplyand waste pipes,

and the point of attachment may be at the top or at the side of saidpipes, as may be found most convenient in fitting the watersupply, andwaste attachment to the tub, in order to take up as little room aspossible out side of the tub.

I wish it to be observed that my attachments can be applied to abath-tub with ease and facility, and will take up much less space thanin the bath-tubs'heretofore constructed, thus commending it to moreparticular public favor. Bath-tubs provided with my attachments areready for the market and immediate use. I would also remark that theattachments are adapted to wash-basins, sinks, &c. as well as bath-tubsand I do not wish it to be understood that I restrict my invention asapplied only to bath-tubs.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the water-supply and waste pipes of a bath-tuband supplycock, of a siphon-shaped overflow-pipe, connected with thesupply and Waste pipe, constructed and arranged to operate substantiallyas described.

2. The combination, with the water-inlet pipe, hot and cold water supplypipes, and

, waste-pipe of a bath-tub, of a single cock, constructed substantiallyas described, for admittin g hot or cold water separately or togetherinto thetub, and to discharge the same into the waste-pipe, as setforth.

3. The combination, with a showerbath pipe and pipes for admitting hotand cold water into the showerpipe, of a single cock, constructedsubstantially as shown, for permitting a simultaneous flow of water fromthe tub and into the shower-pipe, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a bath-tub having recesses in its lining,formed as described, ot' a removable seat and suitable retaining devicetherefor, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the-foregoing I have hereunto set my hand inthe presence of the subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. A. BLESSING.

Witnesses:

A. H. NORRIS, Jos. L. GooMBs.

